Tamarind Cowl

Tamarind Cowl A Knitting Kninja design

Materials: 1 skein Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Rich Chocolate 4.5 mm 16” circular needles (U.S. size 7) 1 stitch marker

Gauge: 4 inches = 16 stitches/24 rows in stockinette stitch

Stitch Guide: Inc: Increase. To increase, insert the tip of the right needle into the stitch below the one you are about to knit and slip it onto the left needle. Knit the new stitch through the back loop. K2tog: Knit next two stitches together.

The Just-Like-Mine Version: Cast on 84 stitches, place marker, and join to knit in the round. Knit for 11 rounds. Round 12: *Inc 1, k1. Rep from * to end. Rounds 13 through 18: Knit. Round 19: *K2tog. Rep from * to end. Rounds 20 through 25: Knit. Repeat rounds 12 to 25 two more times. Knit 4 rounds more. Cast off. You have a cowl! Sew in the ends, steam block and wear.

The Custom Version: Use any yarn of any weight and any size 16” circular needles. All you need to do is make a gauge swatch. Cast on as many stitches as you need for joining in the round and knit for about 2 inches. You’ll need to take the swatch off the needles to measure it accurately. Cast off, or slip the stitches onto a scrap length of yarn and measure the number of stitches and rows you’re getting per inch. Multiple your stitches per inch times 21. The cowl in the picture has a circumference of 21 inches. Cast on the number of stitches in your answer. (Now there’s an awkward sentence!) Knit for about 2 inches. Next round: *Inc 1, k1. Rep from * to end. Knit for about an inch. If you figured out your rows per inch, you’ll know how many rounds this is. If you did not already figure out your rows per inch, keep track of how many rounds you knit. Next round: *K2tog. Rep from * to end. Knit the same number of rounds as you did after the increase round. Repeat two more times, and then knit an extra inch before casting off. Voila! Cowl! Sew in the ends, steam block, and wear.

Copyright 2008, Kristen Hanley Cardozo